Are small receivers "in" again?

[Dale]

For quite some time now, so much importance has been placed on size at receiver, but will that be different in this year's draft/free agency? I guess it got me thinking with the success of a number of small receivers this year, coupled with the hype surrounding Holmes in the draft.

Steve Smith (5-9), Santana Moss (5-10), Joey Galloway (5-11) and Terry Glenn (5-11) were four of the top nine receivers in the NFC this year in yards gained.

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on sub-6-foot receivers.

 

[DallasCowpoke111]

For quite some time now, so much importance has been placed on size at receiver, but will that be different in this year's draft/free agency? I guess it got me thinking with the success of a number of small receivers this year, coupled with the hype surrounding Holmes in the draft.

Steve Smith (5-9), Santana Moss (5-10), Joey Galloway (5-11) and Terry Glenn (5-11) were four of the top nine receivers in the NFC this year in yards gained.

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on sub-6-foot receivers.

Like the wife always says while patting me on the head late Fri nights, size doesn't matter, it's what you do with it.



I'd be interested in that 6'5" Jeff Samardzija kid from ND when he comes out though.

 

[cobra]

I think it is cyclical, in some respects.

Teams started going to Big WRs to try to get an advantage on the historically smaller CBs. To respond to that, Defenese started to try to find bigger CBs to play with the bigger WRs. That allowed room for people like S. Smith and S. Moss to have a spot because they can out run and break away from the bigger CBs. So, teams will start giving more smaller WRs a chance, defenses will react and try to play some smaller, quicker CBs, and the cycle will being fresh.

It's all flavor of the week NFL. Just like the 3-4, 4-3 cycle.

 

[C-BoysFaninMIA]

actually, they never left. small recievrs have always been "in".

 

[CactusCowboy]

Given the same talent level, taller will always be better because so many balls are just thrown up for grabs these days, but it seems some of the smaller guys are really good at finding the ball and can maneuver better than taller guys.

By the way, I also like that guy from Notre Dame, what an athlete.

 

[Juke99]

Cycles...it all runs in cycles...As all the CB's get bigger to be able to handle the more physical WR's, teams will start to use small WR's to scoot past them...then teams will utilize small CB's to keep up with them...and teams will go back to the big WR's...

 

[Qwickdraw]

Dont forget Deion Branch, Mark Clayton, Marvin Harrison, Torry Holt, Hines Ward, Lee Evans, Kevin Curtis, Derrick Mason...

 

[Hiero]

yes they are back. I think the fact that a lot of those big wr's ended up as busts combined with the play of the above mentioned has helped change it.

 

[Chocolate Lab]

Height has always been overrated in receivers. People act like all you have to do is lob it up to the 6-3 WR being covered by the 5-10 corner and it's a sure thing. But except in rare cases, like sometimes around the goal line, that doesn't work.

I like the Jimmy Johnson approach: If you can play, you can play. It doesn't matter what you look like or what the so-called prototype might be. All you have to do is look at Smith and Moss to see that.

BTW, it's overrated at most other positions, too.

 

[lane]

it is not the size of the dog in the fight.

it is the size of the fight in the dog.

 

[DallasCowpoke111]

Height has always been overrated in receivers. People act like all you have to do is lob it up to the 6-3 WR being covered by the 5-10 corner and it's a sure thing. But except in rare cases, like sometimes around the goal line, that doesn't work.

I like the Jimmy Johnson approach: If you can play, you can play. It doesn't matter what you look like or what the so-called prototype might be. All you have to do is look at Smith and Moss to see that.

BTW, it's overrated at most other positions, too.

That argument would be good CL, except for the fact that JJ had most of his success w/ 6'2" M. Irvin and 6'4", NCAA high jump champion Alvin Harper.

Players like Kelvin Martin and Kevin Williams were slot receivers for a reason.

 

[GTaylor]

Doesn't hurt to have the new offense-friendly rules to help receivers...assuming they can get past being jammed

 

[Nors]

I think the smaller guys are inherently quicker and are getting more big play's. Past 4 years everyone was frothing for the big lunking WR. Plenty of very disapointing Big WR's past few seasons....

 

[Juke99]

I think the smaller guys are inherently quicker and are getting more big play's. Past 4 years everyone was frothing for the big lunking WR. Plenty of very disapointing Big WR's past few seasons....

Yep....agreed...and most of them on the Lions roster.

 

[Natedawg44]

You don't think its had a little to do with the illegal contact penalty. I think thats a large part of your answer right there.

 

[SkinsandTerps]

Ask any NFL CB whom they would rather try to cover. The answer I have always heard is the taller WRs.

The taller WRs are not typically as crisp running routes, and not as quick coming out of their cuts.

A decent vertical for a smaller CB makes up for the size factor.

 

[ddh33]

It's not so much the "small vs. large" issue for me. It's more about speed. I want some speed from my receivers. If that is a smaller guy, so be it.

 

[Zman5]

It's not so much the "small vs. large" issue for me. It's more about speed. I want some speed from my receivers. If that is a smaller guy, so be it.

Personally I want a guy who is 6' 10" who can run 4.2 / 40 , and quick as Dante Hall and who can out jump Shaq.

 

[MapleLeaf]

You don't think its had a little to do with the illegal contact penalty. I think thats a large part of your answer right there.

:clap2: :clap2: :clap2:

It doesn't preclude good players with hands, vision and elusiveness, but it sure helps when they can't ride your rear all the way down the field.

I'm sure players like Duper, Clayton and the smurfs would drool to be in the league now while in their primes.

 

[Kangaroo]

For quite some time now, so much importance has been placed on size at receiver, but will that be different in this year's draft/free agency? I guess it got me thinking with the success of a number of small receivers this year, coupled with the hype surrounding Holmes in the draft.

Steve Smith (5-9), Santana Moss (5-10), Joey Galloway (5-11) and Terry Glenn (5-11) were four of the top nine receivers in the NFC this year in yards gained.

Just curious on everyone's thoughts on sub-6-foot receivers.

I think the WR range of 5'10 -6' 1" range that are quick and elusive and do not forget speed are making a comeback with the new rules in place. Since CB can no longer mug the wr and be draped all over them they are more effective again unlike years past where wr had to fight the grabs hold which made the Big 6'5" wr a need because they could shield the cb from the ball with their body.